RIP Pfc Brandon Buttry

The family is exhausted and I don’t have much new to say. I’ll let photos of the past few days at Brandon’s hometown of Shenandoah, Iowa, tell the story of the grief our family feels at our loss and the gratitude we feel for the outpouring of love and support from the community and the nation.

The backs of the t-shirts bore a Bible verse offering hope and comfort.

Brandon’s plane landed in Shenandoah on Tuesday, eight days after his death in Kandahar, Afghanistan, a highly emotional moment for his family.

The Patriot Guard Riders — veterans who travel to military funerals to honor the war dead — showed out in force at the airport and later at the visitation, funeral and burial. Their devotion to the fallen soldier and his family was deeply touching.

Monday night, Brandon’s parents, Don and Pam, gave me their remembrance of Brandon to read at Thursday’s funeral, including this passage: “You will always be with us. … We will look for that bright smile in every sunbeam.” Tuesday morning I shot this photo (no PhotoShopping, I swear) as the family waited for Brandon’s casket to emerge from the plane that brought him home to Shenandoah.

Two lines of Patriot Guard Riders bearing flags stretched out from the plane to honor Brandon as his body came home.

A military honor guard carries Brandon’s casket from the airplane to the hearse.

My cousin, retired Air Force First Sergeant Frank Yunk-Arnold, escorted Brandon’s body home from Dover Air Force Base and stayed for the visitation and funeral.

Stars and stripes for Brandon

Shenandoah got a visit from “Flagman” Larry Eckhardt, who lined the route from the funeral home to the church to the cemetery, and the lanes of the cemetery with a couple thousand American flags, assisted by local volunteers. Driving the route in the quiet of Wednesday morning was a moving experience. The photo in my blog header is just a sliver of the panoramic view of the cemetery.

My sister, Carol Devlin, and I visited the cemetery Wednesday morning, awestruck by the flags rippling in the wind. I thought of another passage from Don and Pam’s letter to Brandon that I would be reading the next day: “When the wind blows, we will listen for your laugh.”

Near my father’s grave, just a short walk from Brandon’s, this flag rippled in the morning sun.

Gov. Terry Branstad ordered flags across Iowa flown at half-staff Thursday. Flags in Shenandoah were lowered all week, including this one at Rose Hill Cemetery, where Brandon was laid to rest Thursday.

Shenandoah shows its love

All across Shenandoah, signs and window displays expressed support for Brandon and his family.

The church where Mimi and I were married 38 years ago was among those expressing support for Brandon and his family.

The Patriot Guard contingent kept growing. I heard that 150 would be there Thursday. It seemed like at least that many, maybe more. They lined the sidewalk outside the church.

A vile, attention-seeking cult posted plans on its website to picket Brandon’s funeral. Thankfully, they never materialized. They would have been drowned out by the Patriot Guard’s Harleys and their signs blocked from our view by sheets and signs expressing thanks for Brandon’s service. And their hatred would have been overwhelmed by the love this community showed. This is the sidewalk across the street from the church.

More flags outside the church, First Baptist Church in Shenandoah, Iowa, where my father, Brandon’s grandfather, was pastor from 1970 to 1976.

As we drove from the church to the cemetery, the flags, signs and people lining the street gave me chills. That’s the Flagman’s truck at the left.

Update: I have compiled much of the media coverage into a Storify account (originally posted Nov. 8, but updated and reorganized Nov. 18). I also compiled photos from various sources on a Pinboard in Brandon’s memory.

I thank the journalists who covered Brandon’s death, return and funeral for their compassion and professionalism in covering this story.

Brandon’s family was overwhelmed by the community’s response and the response from all over the country.

Thanks for the pics Steve. I am fortunate enough to having known Brandon and his family when I was a member of their church a few years back. I always enjoyed my conversations with him then and enjoyed serving with him for different church functions. I remember one conversation when we were talking about football, and that he wasn’t into the Minnesota Vikings as the rest of the family was. Although I hadn’t spoken with Brandon for a couple of years, I followed him on Facebook and knew of his enlistment into the military. I am thankful and proud of his service to our country.
The service yesterday was very nice, and so was the outpouring of support from the entire community and beyond. Although I wasn’t able to speak with Don and Pam yesterday (I hope to soon), I want them to know that those of us up here in Denison, Iowa, our church and my family, are praying for them and the rest of the family, that God may grant the peace and comfort as only He can give.

Steve – Thanks for sharing your family’s story and Brandon’s personal story in these two posts. Both posts were quite moving and powerful. I appreciate you sharing the story and will honor Brandon’s service. Please share my condolences with his parents and your family –
Bryan

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. With military members in our family that have been overseas I understand the risks that military families feel. May the Lord comfort you during this time and realize as you do that he will always be in our hearts whenever we think of him and we will see him again someday.

Rube and I were so thankful that you and Carol and family members were in Shenandoah to be there for Don and Pam and their family. We will not forget Brandon and his service to his country. Please let Don and Pam know that we are here for them when ever needed. Roger and Ruby Martin

I joined the Patriot Guard Riders about 5 months ago to honor those that have died during service to their Country and render support to the Soldier’s family. Brandon is the first Soldier that I have had the privilege to honor. I pray that Brandon’s honor will also be my last however if called upon to honor and support another hero, I will be there. Whenever I mention the Patriot Guard Riders, some don’t understand the purpose, your diary that you have put together here perhaps provides an understanding of purpose. I salute Brandon and his Family and hope that time will lessen the pain of his loss.

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From Virginia’s Town of Shenandoah – On behalf of everyone here in the Town of Shenandoah, Virginia – We all would like to send our condolences on the loss of Brandon to his family and friends. We recently learned of this wonderful young man through his friends Al and Carolyn Ruhde on their recent visit to our Town in Virginia. They purchased an engraved brick in his honor and memory and it will be displayed within a few months at Veterans Park here in our Town. Though Brandon’s funeral was almost a year ago, we are sure the pain in your hearts is still deep, and we now grieve with you in the loss of this precious young man. Please know Brandon and his service to our country will never be forgotten by those living here in Shenandoah, Virginia. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.

We would love to have you visit! It will be several months before the brick is installed along with the others in the next order. So, you may want to check before your visit to ensure it is on display yet. Since they placed the order, Carolyn and Al will receive a letter when it is on display. Visit us any time!

[…] Buttry note: Dan Offenburger was the brother of Chuck Offenburger, who gave me my first job in journalism and who is a fellow lymphoma survivor whom I’ve mentioned frequently on this blog. I covered Dan’s death seven years later for the World-Herald (though that story is no longer available online). Dan was more of a friendly source than a friend, but I’ve mentioned him previously on the blog, too. I also should note that my brother, Don and his wife, Pam, lead a multi-racial family in Shenandoah, the same community where Dan Offenburger lived. My familiarity with Dan’s situation and with Shenandoah’s lack of diversity no doubt played a role in my calling on him for this story. I noted on the blog the 2012 death of Don’s African American son Brandon, serving in Afghanistan, and the community’s salute to Brandon and support for the family. […]